Alternative practitioners consider diet to be one of the most important factors in health and disease. Many common diseases and ailments may be prevented or treated by a change in diet or supplementation in some cases.

The message for us all to eat healthily has rung out loud and clear for several years now. Many foods we eat today are far removed from their natural state; we rely on highly processed and refined foods enhanced with flavourings, colourings and preservatives. The chemical structure of the food is therefore changed by these processes and vital vitamins and minerals are lost.

Following a poor diet may seem to not matter in the short term but the sad fact is that this does affect how we feel and function over the long term. For example, the condition of our body, such as weight, is an end result of how we live and a reflection of the food we eat and activity levels. Therefore if we wish to change our weight we must change our lifestyle, eat less of the richer foods and exercise more. This dynamic duo really cannot fail.

Obesity contributes to many major illnesses and diseases for example, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.